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Charlotte Wessels

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Charlotte Wessels
Wessels performing at the 2019 Tuska Open Air Metal Festival
Wessels performing at the 2019 Tuska Open Air Metal Festival
Background information
Birth nameJohanna Charlotte Wessels
Born (1987-05-13) 13 May 1987 (age 37)
OriginZwolle, Netherlands
GenresSymphonic metal, gothic metal, jazz
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active2004–present
Formerly of

Johanna Charlotte Wessels (born 13 May 1987) is a Dutch singer and songwriter. She is best known as the former lead vocalist for the symphonic metal band Delain.

Background

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Wessels has been trained in both jazz singing and classical singing. She was first trained in jazz, but later, her instructor suggested classical singing to her. However, Wessels has stated that she found classical training to be very restrictive, and so she likes to do something "in between the classical and the jazz stuff, and if you look at classical music with high vocal lines, then you kind of get to gothic very soon!"[1]

Career

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To Elysium (2000–2005)

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She joined a gothic metal band named To Elysium around the age of fifteen or sixteen. She mentions in an interview that her parents had to sign a contract because she was still underage.[2]

Delain (2004–2021)

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Wessels (right) performing with Delain in 2019

Wessels became involved with Delain in 2004 when she met Martijn Westerholt formerly of Within Temptation. Since the band was meant to be a studio project only, Westerholt asked if she could write some lyrics and vocalize. She thought it was going to be a one-time thing. In 2005 they signed a deal with Roadrunner Records.[2][3] She was the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the band.[3]

She departed the band in February 2021, with Delain reforming as a solo musical project of Martijn Westerholt as well as announcing that she would be launching a solo career.[4] In Wessels' statement on her departure, she wished the other departing members and the fans well:

"I hope that Delain remains a positive force in everyone's lives. We Are The Others, always will be, and none of this changes that."[5]

In May 2021 during an interview, she reflected on her departure from Delain in February, stating that she was grateful that she got to work with the other musicians in the band.[6]

Phantasma (2015–2017)

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Wessels, along with Georg Neuhauser from Serenity and Oliver Philipps from Everon, formed a symphonic rock group named Phantasma. They were signed to Napalm Records and released a concept album titled The Deviant Hearts. Wessels not only sings on the album, but also wrote her debut novella called The Deviant Hearts especially for it. The novella is included with the album's physical release.[7]

Solo career (2020–present)

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In August 2020, Wessels released the single, "Lizzie" which features Alissa White-Gluz as part of a collaboration.[8]

Following her departure from Delain, Wessels had released a solo single, "Soft Revolution" via her Patreon which was Song of the Month in January 2021.[9][10] On 14 May 2021, Wessels released a cover of Gerard McMahon's "Cry Little Sister", a song featured in the 1987 film The Lost Boys.[11] On 30 June 2021, she released a music video of the single, "Superhuman".[12]

On 1 June 2021, Wessels announced the title of her first studio album, Tales from Six Feet Under, a collection of multiple genres ranging from indie pop to synth-infused rock. It was released on 17 September 2021.[13] All of the songs were made in her home studio, where she wrote, produced, and performed all the instruments on the record.[14][15] Following the release of her solo album, she released her new song "Tonight" on 25 November 2021.[16]

On 28 June 2022, Wessels announced her second studio album, titled Tales from Six Feet Under, Vol. II, which was released on 7 October 2022.[17] Wessels also appeared on the EP The Alchemy Project by the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, on the song "Sirens – Of Blood and Water", alongside Amalie Bruun. A music video for this song was released on 11 November 2022.[18]

Wessels announced her third studio album, The Obsession, which was released on 20 September 2024, and at the same time, announced the album's first single, "The Exorcism", which was released on 16 May 2024.[19][20] Wessels released four other singles to promote the album: "Chasing Sunsets",[21] "Dopamine",[22] "The Crying Room"[23] and "Ode to the West Wind".[24]

Influences

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Wessels performing at Summer Breeze Festival 2017

When asked in 2014 who her influences are, Wessels said

My parents had quite good taste in music so I had some of the classic rock influences; Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, and Kate Bush. My brother really got me into metal, those were really the high days of Metallica. Actually, Toxicity by System of a Down is still one of my favorite records ever. Right now, I am really into the alternative rock scene, Radiohead is my favorite band ever. I adore Muse and Nick Cave. Then there is the corner of the great female songwriters like Tori Amos, Björk. That pretty much covers it. I can go on for hours but I think these are the few directions which have influenced me most.[2]

When asked in a Loudwire interview who she gets inspired by vocally she mentions Australian singer Sia, she admires Sia's voice and also her songwriting.[2][25]

Wessels stated on her Instagram in 2018 that Dolores O'Riordan's voice was one of her main inspirations to start singing.[citation needed]

Personal life

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She is a cousin of Dutch hardcore DJ DaY-már. [citation needed] Wessels has an art history degree and also has a master's degree in gender studies.[26] She is a vegan.[27] She considers herself a feminist[28] and she doesn't like the female-fronted metal term: "It's just really weird that the gender of one person in the band defines what kind of music you make! I think that it's one of the things that really indicates that the bias is still there."[29]

On 26 August 2017, Charlotte revealed that she married her partner of twelve years.[30]

Discography

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Filmography

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References

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  1. ^ Delain Interview (Part 1) – YouTube
  2. ^ a b c d "Interview Charlotte Wessels of Delain". Cryptic Rock. 30 May 2014. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Facebook page". Facebook. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  4. ^ "DELAIN's MARTIJN WESTERHOLT Announces End Of Band's Most Recent Lineup: 'The Others Have Chosen To Pursue Different Paths'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  5. ^ Lewry, Fraser (15 February 2021). "Delain splinter as four band members depart". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Vocalist CHARLOTTE WESSELS Looks Back On Career With DELAIN, Talks Leaving The Band And Working On Solo Music (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  7. ^ Phantasma Feat. Delain, Serenity, Everon Members: 'Enter Dreamscape' Lyric Video – Blabbermouth.net
  8. ^ "ARCH ENEMY Vocalist ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ, DELAIN Singer CHARLOTTE WESSELS Release New Single / Video "Lizzie"". BraveWords. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  9. ^ Wiggins, Keavin (8 March 2021). "Former Delain Singer Charlotte Wessels Shares 'Soft Revolution'". antiMUSIC. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Former DELAIN Vocalist CHARLOTTE WESSELS Returns With Solo Single / Video "Soft Revolution"". BraveWords. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Former DELAIN Vocalist CHARLOTTE WESSELS Releases Cover Of The Lost Boys Theme Song "Cry Little Sister" Via Patreon; Teaser Available". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Ex-DELAIN Singer CHARLOTTE WESSELS Releases 'Superhuman' Music Video". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  13. ^ "Former DELAIN Vocalist CHARLOTTE WESSELS To Release Compilation Record, Tales From Six Feet Under, On Various Vinyl Editions". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Ex-DELAIN Singer CHARLOTTE WESSELS To Release 'Tales From Six Feet Under' Solo Album". Blabbermouth.net. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  15. ^ "Charlotte Wessels To Release Compilation Record". Folk N Rock. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  16. ^ "Former DELAIN Vocalist CHARLOTTE WESSELS Releases New Song "Tonight"; Teaser Available". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  17. ^ "Charlotte Wessels (Ex-Delain) Announces New Album, "Tales From Six Feet Under Vol II", out October 7". Sonic Perspectives. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Simone Simons, Charlotte Wessels And Myrkur Come Together On New Epica Song 'Sirens - Of Blood And Water'". Blabbermouth.net. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  19. ^ "Vocalist Charlotte Wessels Reunites With Former Delain Bandmates For New Solo Album; September 2024 Release Date Confirmed". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Charlotte Wessels Reveals The Obsession Album Details: "The Exorcism" Single And Video Out Now". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Charlotte Wessels Unveils "Chasing Sunsets" Single And Music Video". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Ex-Delain Singer Charlotte Wessels Teams Up With Epica's Simone Simons For New Single 'Dopamine'". Blabbermouth.net. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  23. ^ Baldin, Benedetta (28 August 2024). "Charlotte Wessels releases intense new single "The Crying Room"". Chaoszine. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  24. ^ Baldin, Benedetta (18 September 2024). "Charlotte Wessels joined by Alissa White-Gluz for new single "Ode to the West Wind"". Chaoszine. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Delain Singer Charlotte Wessels Talks New Album 'The Human Contradiction' + More". Loudwire. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  26. ^ "Delain interview 2012". Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  27. ^ Sabrina; Guillaume (14 January 2015). "Interview with Charlotte Wessels (DELAIN)". metalchestofwonders.com. Paris, France. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. I've been aiming on having a complete vegan diet for a long time but I still cheat every now and then. Some things are very hard to get rid of even if there are plenty of good alternatives. I still cheat with cheese [...] Before going to the whole vegan thing, everybody told me : it's so hard, you're not going to be able to keep up. Actually, for 98% it's so easy.
  28. ^ Westland, Raymond (11 April 2014). "Charlotte Wessels Of Delain Talks To ThisIsNotAScene (Part 2)". ThisIsNotAScene. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  29. ^ Colgan, Chris (25 March 2014). "Interview: Delain's Charlotte Wessels says new album is a fresh start". metalinsider.net. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  30. ^ "Charlotte Wessels de Delain contrae matrimonio". El Cuartel del Metal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

Sources

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  • Kirtland, Jill (2014). Not Just Tits in a Corset: Celebrating Women in Metal. Jill Hughes Kirtland. ISBN 978-0-9915015-0-2.
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